Highlights
- First ODI to be played at SCG on Nov 27
- Mohammed Siraj’s father passes away; cricketer turns down offer to return to India
- Tickets sell out fast for ODIs and T20s; Adelaide Test likely to go on as planned
After celebrating a quiet Diwali in quarantine, Team India was seen practising in the nets before they take on Australia in the first One-Day International (ODI) at the Sydney Cricket Ground on November 27.
While the summer series kicks off with limited-overs matches, Team India seems to be focussed on the Test series as they were seen training for the long-format in Sydney.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli and all top batsmen and bowlers were seen practising in simulated long-format match conditions complete with pacers using red and pink balls last week.
Pace bowlers Mohammed Shami and Mohammad Siraj were seen bowling to Kohli which he shared in a video posted on Twitter.
“Love Test cricket sessions,” the tweet from Kohli read.
The cricketers also shared photos of their workout sessions as they continue to quarantine with their teammates.
Mohammad Siraj’s father passes away
Indian cricket team’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj’s father, Mohammed Ghouse, passed away on Friday at the age of 53.
The BCCI in a statement said Siraj was offered the option to return to India for his father’s last rites, but the fast bowler opted to stay back.
Tickets sell out fast
Cricket Australia (CA) has said tickets for the T20Is and two ODIs between India and Australia have been sold out after tickets went on sale on Friday morning.
"The second and third ODIs at the SCG and Manuka Oval respectively have been exhausted while the Manuka Oval T20I and two SCG T20Is are sold out," CA said in a release.
"Limited tickets to the first ODI on November 27 at the SCG remain, with approximately 1,900 public seats left. Both the SCG and Manuka Oval will be at 50 per cent capacity for series, with fans voting with their feet after ticket prices were frozen from the last time India came to Australia in 2018/19," it added.
First Test in Adelaide likely to go on as scheduled
After the recent outbreak of COVID-19 cases in Adelaide, doubts were cast on the first Test scheduled to begin on December 17.
However, with the lockdown coming to an end earlier than scheduled, hopes are high the first Test between Australia and India will go ahead as scheduled.
Cricket Australia has not yet changed their plans for the opening Test of the summer at Adelaide Oval and it appears likely it will go ahead as planned earlier.
Cricket Australia's Diwali video
Cricket Australia conveyed Diwali greetings to their fans in a video starring Test captain Tim Paine, former Australia women's captain and commentator Lisa Sthalaker among others.
India vs Australia schedule
Dettol ODI Series v India
First ODI: November 27, SCG, 2.40 pm AEDT
Second ODI: November 29, SCG, 2.40 pm AEDT
Third ODI: December 2, Manuka Oval, 2.40 pm AEDT
Dettol T20 INTL Series v India
First T20: December 4, Manuka Oval, 7.10 pm AEDT
Second T20: December 6, SCG, 7.10 pm AEDT
Third T20: December 8, SCG, 7.10 pm AEDT
Vodafone Test Series v India
First Test: December 17-21, Adelaide Oval, 3 pm AEDT (day-night)
Second Test: December 26-30, MCG, 10.30 am AEDT
Third Test: January 7-11, SCG, 10.30 am AEDT
Fourth Test: January 15-19, Gabba, 11 am AEDT
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